Academic Services Project Director
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Project Director for the UCCS TRIO Student Support Services Program to join our team! The work location for this position is on-site. This position is funded by a US Department of Education TRiO Student Support Services grant awarded September 2025 and is contingent upon availability of continued annual funding for an estimated five years. Salary Range : $63,938.00 - $75,000.00. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications.
At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer :
- Generous Time Off : Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
- Robust Health Coverage : Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
- Financial & Retirement Benefits : Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
- Further Your Education : Avail twelve waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus.
- Wellness & More : From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
The Project Director for the UCCS TRiO Student Support Services Program provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the design, development, implementation, administration, supervision, evaluation, and activities for this U.S. Department of Education grant-funded program. This role is responsible for ensuring strong student engagement, delivering holistic and effective support services, maintaining compliance with federal regulations and grant objectives, and using data to drive continuous improvement.
The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to :
Administer the SSS ProjectHire, train, supervise, and evaluate SSS staff through clear goal-setting, regular feedback, formal performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities while fostering a student-centered, collaborative team environment focused on achieving program outcomesProvide accountability for Project resources and ensure fiscal managementPlan / coordinate academic and developmental support programs and prioritiesProvide academic and career advising, assistance with the financial aid process, and Academic Success Plan development to a caseload of approximately 40 SSS studentsCollaborate with campus resources to offer services to SSS students generally as part of campus offerings and specifically as part of SSS workshopsServe as a liaison with the U.S. Department of EducationCoordinate the recruitment, screening and selection, and continued engagement of 140 program participants annually, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines and supporting long-term student retention and successCreate effective relationships with faculty, staff, and administrators on campus and at partnering campusesPromote students' matriculation into graduate / professional schools through Graduate School visits, fairs, and preparationCoordinate industry visits to in-demand industriesDesign and implement a comprehensive Project evaluation plan to guide data-informed improvements and enhance outcomes for program participantsParticipate in state, regional, and national TRiO meetings / trainings to ensure compliance with current SSS policies and federal regulations and serve as a knowledgeable resource to assist campus colleagues in understanding and meeting program requirementsDevelop monthly, quarterly, and annual reports that monitor progress toward achieving Project objectivesMonitor and report on progress on implementation of Competitive Preference PrioritiesEnsure timely, accurate submission of compliance reports to the Department of Education, including documentation of student participation and budget expenditures, in full accordance with federal requirementsOther duties as assignedTentative Search Timeline
Priority will be given to applications submitted by : October 22nd, 2025Potential interview dates : November 3rd, 2025Potential start date : December 1st, 2025All employees of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) are required to complete training on policies and procedures administered by the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), under the supervision of the Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Equity / Title IX Coordinator. Required training includes : understanding and reporting conduct prohibited by the sexual misconduct, protected class nondiscrimination, and conflicts of interest in cases of amorous relationships policies, related retaliation, and compliance with accommodations regarding disability, pregnancy or related conditions, and religion. All employees are also designated as "responsible employees" and are required to report conduct prohibited under these policies, and student disclosures of pregnancy or related conditions directly to the OIE and to provide OIE's contact information to any student disclosing pregnancy or related conditions.
Qualifications
Master's degree in education, counseling, student affairs in higher education, social work, or related field from an accredited college / university is requiredAt least 3 years experience designing, managing, or implementing an SSS or similar Project focusing on student success and retentionFive years experience administering a higher education or other ProjectThree years experience supervising student and / or professional staffDemonstrated fiscal management experience and knowledge; records management, personnel management, supervision, and program assessmentDemonstrated knowledge of current student retention practices and student development theoryDemonstrated sensitivity to, and understanding of working with low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities who are academically under-preparedExcellent written and oral communication skillsExperience overcoming barriers similar to those confronting the Project's populationAbility to interpret and apply federal law and grant regulations; grant management experienceDemonstrated outcome-driven project management skills, including organization and the ability to prioritize and multi-task with attention to detailUCCS is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.
Special Instructions to Applicants : This position is opened until filled. Applications submitted through email or surface mail will not be considered. Please apply at cu.edu / cu-careers (job # : 37886). If you have technical difficulties with your application, please contact the CU Careers help desk at 303-860-4200 #5 or cucareershelp@cu.edu. Job related inquiries should be directed to the posting contact.
Application Materials Required : Cover Letter, Resume / CV
Application Materials Instructions : Please identify the job specific minimum qualifications you possess in your cover letter and be sure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting. To apply, please submit the following application materials to this posting.